Naglfar
Harvest


3.0
good

Review

by Gmaj USER (30 Reviews)
April 20th, 2007 | 19 replies


Release Date: 2007 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Swedish blackened death metallers offer up a solid piece of melodic extreme metal.

Somewhere between the shrieks of Norwegian black and the growls of Floridian death lies a subgenre creatively dubbed “blackened death metal.” Some purveyors of the style have played it with the melody and occasional majesty of the former parent genre (Dissection), some with the outright brutality of the latter (Behemoth). Somewhere between these two styles lies Sweden’s (where else?) Naglfar.

One thing becomes immediately apparent at Harvest’s opening: this thing is immaculately produced. The only other modern black metal band’s catalogue that stands any comparison is that of Dimmu Borgir, although that band’s compositions are often too awash in cheesy symphonic elements to really permit any kind of instrumental nitpicking. Fortunately that is not the case here, as any such flourishes are neatly tucked into the background, leaving the ridiculously catchy riffs to deliver their maximum wallop.

The vocal work of frontman (and former bassist) Kristoffer Olivius absolutely makes this album. While his actual voice is of the generic, high pitched black metal variety, Olivuis’ lyrics and their rhythmic delivery are crucial to this band’s sound. The guy gets downright poetic at times. Check out the third track “The Mirrors of my Soul” in which Olivius sings “My eyes they mirror my soul/Black, empty, senseless and cold/I've lost the lust for life - leave me alone/I will exit this existence - I am going home.”

Naglfar plays straight-ahead blackened death metal with some excellent melodic hooks thrown in to make the songs memorable. Though this album definitely won’t be the best release of ’07 (I’m holding that spot for Opeth if Mikael can write fast enough), it certainly won’t be the worst. Harvest is recommended for any fan looking for solid, no frills extreme metal.



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user ratings (163)
3.6
great
other reviews of this album
Kyle Ward EMERITUS (4)
A worthwhile addition to any Melodic Death or Black Metal fan's collection....



Comments:Add a Comment 
Crysis
Emeritus
April 20th 2007


17652 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Good review, I want to buy this album now, didn't even know it came out yet.

Foodforthegods
April 20th 2007


425 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I love what I've heard. I should get it soon.

Confessed2005
April 20th 2007


7703 Comments


Naglfar are a cool band so I will definitely be checking this out somewhen.

Nice, concise review.

Slaapkamers
April 20th 2007


596 Comments


Bland and uninteresting black metal with terrible vocals.

taylor1989
April 22nd 2007


15 Comments


sweet gotta check this out


Crimson
July 2nd 2007


1937 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This album is awesome, and the lyrics are superb.

masscows
July 2nd 2007


2230 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I'm seeing this band live this fall w/Dark Funeral!



Still need to check out their work, though.

masscows
July 2nd 2007


2230 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Bland and uninteresting black metal with terrible vocals.

I can see why you wouldnt like this, but I've honestly never listened to black metal that wasn't bland, and I've never considered black metal to be musically interesting on any level. It's hard to explain what it is that's good about it :x

Crysis
Emeritus
July 2nd 2007


17652 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Masscows, listen to the title track off this CD, its amazing. It's melodic and varied, im sure you'll like it.

whackerinc
July 24th 2007


28 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

With the exception of the rather brilliant title track, the rest of the songs have a severe lack of conviction, especially from mainman Kristoffer Olivius. In Pariah, where he was basically one spite-filled demon, his performance on this comes across as pale and slightly deflated. Gone is the clean production of Pariah, it is now replaced with a rather muddy-ish sound that doesn't showcase the bands musical talents properly.

masscows
July 25th 2007


2230 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Musically, this is solid.



Lyrically, oh my god, this is the most inoffensive piece of black metal lyricism I've ever heard. It's not even that it's inoffensive, it's that it tries desperately to be meaningful like Dissection's lyrics, but fails miserably. Miserably. I don't know whether to blame it on their lack of familiarity with the english language or just their lack of poetic writing skills, but the lyrics are just...ugh...bad...



and yeah, the title track is amazing.

Crysis
Emeritus
July 26th 2007


17652 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The title track is probably the best song Naglfar has yet produced, it's up there with "Black God Aftermath" and "I Am Vengeance"

rattlehead42147
July 26th 2007


1345 Comments


a little too short but what you did write was good.

Slaytan
November 6th 2007


1185 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great album, disagree with the rating, but good job nonetheless.

BallsToTheWall
November 16th 2007


52578 Comments


Decided to expand my tastes beyond black and death, now blackened death, a huge step was taken today by picking this up. Good so far.

Crysis
Emeritus
November 16th 2007


17652 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Wait till you hear the title track dude.

Crimson
November 16th 2007


1937 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Wow, haven't listened to this in a while, 'tis about time to do so.

Hawks
Staff Reviewer
March 11th 2008


116503 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Naglfar definitely does not have terrible vocals. I think Kristopher Olivius is a great vocalist. If your someone looking to get into Black Metal this album would probably do the trick.

Crysis
Emeritus
March 11th 2008


17652 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I've said it before and I shall say it again.... "Harvest" is such a sick song.



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